Staff Reports

The Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club (SMAC) has been in full swing since its “Pink and Black” meet held in mid-September.
The Pink and Black meet is an intra-squad meet that pits teammates of all ages against each other in a friendly competition. The meet, which was held at the Waynesville recreation Center, was well attended by all swimmers, with more than 44 athletes entered.
SMAC, which is a year-round swimming program in Haywood County, boasts a talented pool of swimmers at each level. At the senior level, SMAC has swimmers who have competed at the national level, with several of those swimmers being members of “select” North Carolina zone teams, which compete nationally.
In the younger age group, SMAC has several young athletes who are creating quite a splash. The brother tandem of Kevin and Stephen Wenzel both had four top-five finishes at the Asheville Swim Club Invitational held Oct. 7.
In addition, youngsters like Savannah Jones (5) and Kolt Nelson (6) both turned in strong performances for the Club.
Leading the way at the ASC meet was Collin Purrman. Purrman (17) was a perfect 4 for 4, as he swept the 50 freestyle; 100 backstroke; 200 IM; and the 100 butterfly. Other notable swims form the senior group came from Katy Stringfield (17) who won the 50 free; 100 back; 100 fly; and placed second in the 200 IM. London Schumacher (16) placed second in the 50 free and the 100 fly, while winning the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM.
Rounding out the top finishers was Christopher Lile, who won the 100 breast; finished second in the 200 IM and 100 back, while notching a third-place finish in the 50 free.
Other notable swims were turned in by Annie Ly, Marshall Graves, Jack MacDonald, Hannah McLeod, Kiana Schumacher, Tyler Stevenson, Trinity Wenzel, Patrick Trantham, Mason Calhoun, Madison Deitrich, Karalee Corbeil, Cora Dodson, and Alexander Flowe.
All distances were in a 25-yard pool.
SMAC Head Coach, Andy Wagner, said he was pleased with the progress being made by all the swimmers. “I like the way we are swimming right now,” he said. “We are training pretty hard, and some of the kids are pretty sore. So, to put up some pretty good times, as reference for the future, was good for them.”
The team next travels to Knoxville, TN to participate in the Pilot Fall Invitational, Oct. 26-28.
For more information about Smoky Mountain Aquatic Club, visit their website at smacswimming.com, or email Coach Wagner at coach.andywagner@gmail.com